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A flagship electric motorcycle scheme launched by the Benue State Government under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) is drawing sharp criticism from beneficiaries and observers, who describe it as economically unviable, exploitative, and far removed from its original promise of affordable transport for civil servants and rural commuters.
The RAAMP Spiro Bike initiative provides electric motorcycles through a hire-purchase arrangement. Beneficiaries are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of ₦370,000 upfront, with the full cost of each bike set at ₦1,850,000. Critics argue that the pricing structure, combined with ongoing operational expenses, makes the scheme unsustainable for the average user.
A major point of contention is the absence of widespread charging infrastructure. RAAMP reportedly monopolized battery charging and swapping stations, limiting them to a few locations in Makurdi—specifically North Bank, Coca-Cola area, High Level, and Low Level. Outside these zones, riders are left stranded once batteries run down, rendering the bikes practically useless for longer trips or rural routes.
Charging or battery swapping costs ₦2,000 per session. For commercial or high-frequency users needing up to four charges daily, this translates to ₦8,000 per day—or ₦224,000 monthly—before accounting for the bike’s installment payments. Many beneficiaries now view the total recurring cost as exploitative and far beyond the reach of ordinary civil servants, whose monthly salaries often fall short of covering even the charging expenses alone.
The hire-purchase agreement has also come under fire for its one-sided terms. Dissatisfied users who wish to return the bike reportedly forfeit their entire ₦370,000 deposit with no refund option, leaving them trapped in what critics call a punitive arrangement.
State Coordinator of Benue RAAMP, Dr. Stephen Numbebeve, had earlier described the scheme as a means to ease commuting for civil servants. However, public sentiment on social media and in online discussions dismisses this claim as disconnected from reality. Commentators point out that apart from top-tier civil servants such as Permanent Secretaries and Directors, few state workers can realistically sustain ₦28,000 weekly—or ₦112,000 monthly—in additional transport-related expenses.
Reliability concerns further compound the discontent. Beneficiaries report that the electric bikes lack sufficient range for extended travel outside central Makurdi and suffer from inadequate after-sales support and warranty coverage.
The growing wave of regret has sparked calls for urgent review of the scheme, including the expansion of charging infrastructure, reduction of charging fees, renegotiation of hire-purchase terms to include refund options, and greater transparency in project implementation.
While the initiative was intended to promote clean energy, reduce fuel dependency, and support rural mobility, many now see it as a cautionary tale of good intentions undermined by poor planning, limited accessibility, and burdensome financial conditions. As dissatisfaction spreads, pressure is mounting on the state government to address the concerns and prevent further hardship for beneficiaries already locked into the program.
